Plans to keep five gypsy caravan pitches in Hewish were this week given a green light by North Somerset Council.

Heathfield, in Weston Road, is outside the settlement boundary for Puxton and Congresbury, but the plans have been approved for a temporary period expiring in April 2019.

The site, which neighbours another authorised gypsy site Moorland Park, now has permission to keep the five added caravan pitches designated for traveller use first added in 2008.

The site had previously been granted temporary approval, but this expired in 2013.

This new temporary permission will expire at the same time as that afforded to Moorland Park, meaning both cases can be reviewed together by the council in 2019.

The authority originally cited concerns over potential impact on the landscape but, due to the adjacent caravan park and adequate screening from the road, these fears were dismissed as the issues raised did not warrant a refusal and complied with planning policy.

Significant flooding concerns at the low-lying site have been mitigated to a reasonable enough degree to approve the application, the council said.

The council added a lack of other viable sites and the need for more gypsy pitches in the district encouraged the move to renew temporary permission.

The council concluded: “The development is considered to be acceptable in principle for a further temporary period considering the lack of alternative sites and the continuing unmet need for such sites across the district.”

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